CAN FREO AFFORD LOSING $2.4 MILLION TO GET A NEW FREMANTLE MARKETS OPERATOR?
I want to add a few more thoughts about the Fremantle Markets lease, after having read the Fremantle Herald article about it. The Herald mentions that a director of GTL Investments spoke at last Wednesday’s FPOL Committee meeting, urging Councillors to vote against the Officer’s Recommendation of approving a new lease for the current market operators FMPL.
The GTL Investments director said he had talked to the City of Fremantle CEO last year and offered to pay $ 6 million for restoration work, that would be partly paid for by a three-year rent free period, if his company was granted the lease for the Fremantle Markets.
There was no official tender process and Expression of Interest period, so that offer was irrelevant and never considered, which, according to the Fremantle Herald, upset Councillor Vujcic.
But let us just think about this scenario for a bit. There is a loose offer of investing $ 6 million, but on the condition of a long rent free period. The lease for FMPL has no rent free period, but would see them investing $ 3 million on renovations.
The proposed lease for FMPL also states that they would be paying annual rent of $ 550,000 and on top of that an annual turnover rent of $ 250,000. That is $ 2,4 million over three years!
Does anyone seriously believe the City of Fremantle can be cavalier about foregoing that much money, to take the risk of an inexperienced new market operator, that would have to start all over again? I don’t believe that is a reasonable alternative in the current economic climate and Fremantle Council’s lack of money.
Roel Loopers
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John Dowson sent the below email to me, Amy, and since I have no idea who you are, do you want to apologise to him? Roel
Hi Roel,
On 19 May 2023 on Freo’s View you published or caused to be published (by “Amy”):
John Dowson’s penchant for being a heritage zealot while a councillor and stopping development is why Fremantle is in a mess now.
I am all for robust and honest debate, but given there is no proof offered and given the language used, I believe you have published a defamatory comment that damages my reputation.
Unless the comment is removed immediately and an apology received from the person posting the comment, I reserve the right to take legal action to defend my reputation.
John
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John Dowson’s penchant for being a heritage zealot while a councillor and stopping development is why Fremantle is in a mess now.
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Don’t be too unkind, Steve. John Dowson has made a significant contribution to Fremantle, including as a Councillor.
Roel
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John Dowson… still struggling for relevance. No one cares what you think
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The facts are very different to what is stated here. The offer from GTL would see at least $5 million put forward upfront and spent within the first three years of the lease, without interrupting the businesses at the markets, AND full rent would be paid from day one as well. AND other things would be offered such as a Stallholders Association. The current appallingly written Business Plan for the Fremantle Markets to be put to the community for comment on 24th suggests a possible $3 million from the Murdochs for urgent work, but like 20 years ago that is only a wish and a hope, not a prescribed amount that MUST be paid. The King’s Square Business Plan was a disaster that has left the city broke and having to cancel basic services like the CAT bus, and increase rates again around 9%. The Business Plan for the Markets does not show the true state of the markets currently, it does not lock in any commitment from the Murdochs to contribute to the $6.5 million needed to fix the markets, and does not allow businesses such as GTL to even have their proposal heard by council.
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